"Fighter"
is an eagerly anticipated Indian Hindi-language action movie helmed by the
accomplished director, Siddharth Anand, and brought to life through the
collaborative efforts of Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures. This
adrenaline-pumping cinematic creation boasts a star-studded cast, featuring the
incredibly talented Deepika Padukone, the charismatic Hrithik Roshan, and the
evergreen Anil Kapoor. Notably, "Fighter" marks the inaugural
installment in an ambitious aerial action franchise, promising a thrilling
cinematic experience for Indian audiences.
The
journey of "Fighter" commenced on the 10th of January in 2021 when
its official announcement electrified the film industry. However, the onset of
the COVID-19 pandemic significantly delayed the pre-production phase. The
hurdles were many, but the indomitable spirit of the team persevered. Principal
photography eventually kicked off in November 2022, marking the initiation of
an epic filmmaking endeavor. The filming process unfolded in various
captivating locations, including the picturesque landscapes of Assam, the
bustling streets of Hyderabad, the scenic beauty of Jammu & Kashmir, and
the vibrant heart of Mumbai. The film's shooting was brought to a triumphant
conclusion in late October. It's worth mentioning that real-life Indian Air
Force cadets made invaluable contributions to the creation of this cinematic
spectacle.
The
musical aspect of "Fighter" is another facet that promises to leave
an indelible mark on audiences. The soundtrack, a masterpiece crafted by the
dynamic duo Vishal–Shekhar, encompasses a collection of five mesmerizing songs
that are bound to strike a chord with music enthusiasts. The cinematography was
entrusted to the talented Satchith Paulose, ensuring that every frame of the
film exudes visual brilliance. The visual effects and overall visual
storytelling were expertly handled by DNEG, adding another layer of excellence
to the movie.
Originally,
"Fighter" was set to take flight on the big screen on September 30,
2022. However, the unforeseen production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
led to a series of postponements. After much anticipation and patience, the
movie is now set to soar into theaters on the 25th of January 2024, coinciding
with the auspicious Republic Day weekend. This extended wait has only
heightened the eagerness and excitement surrounding this cinematic masterpiece,
ensuring that when "Fighter" finally takes off, it will be a
thrilling journey for the audience.
Filming
In
the initial stages of the film's creation, Ramon Chibb, an ex-army officer and
writer, collaborated with Siddharth Anand to craft the story. Subsequently,
Anand and his team of writers developed the screenplay for the film during the
lockdown, under the watchful eye of Hrithik Roshan. According to Akshay Oberoi,
the film boasts action scenes that are even more intense than those in
"Pathaan" (2023).
Anand
retained many of his core technical crew members, including cinematographer
Satchith Paulose, editor Aarif Sheikh, stunt choreographer SeYeong Oh, and
action director Sunil Rodrigues. Raj Khatri was responsible for designing the
film's posters.
In
September 2022, Hrithik Roshan began his preparations for the film. He
underwent a 12-week simulator training program and dedicated himself to
learning the intricacies of portraying a fighter jet pilot. His training was
overseen by Kris Gethin, who guided him in developing his abdominal muscles and
losing weight. In November, he visited an airbase and the Air Force training
academy in Telangana, immersing himself in the environment and interacting with
pilots and cadets to better understand their mannerisms and functioning.
The
film also enlisted real-life Indian Air Force cadets who flew in from Delhi's
IAF headquarters and Dundigal Air Force Academy near Hyderabad.
As
for the cast, in January 2021, Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan were
officially announced as the leading actors, marking their first collaboration.
Roshan portrays Patty, an air force officer, describing his character as
"young, spontaneous, and short-tempered". Padukone also plays an air
force officer and is involved in numerous action sequences. Both actors
underwent martial arts training to prepare for their roles.
Anil
Kapoor joined the cast in December 2021, and Karan Singh Grover and Akshay
Oberoi were added to the lineup. Talat Aziz joined the cast in March 2023,
playing Patty's father in the film. Additionally, Sanjeeda Sheikh was confirmed
to play a significant role.
Principal
photography commenced on November 14, 2022, in Assam, with Roshan, Padukone,
and Kapoor participating in the shoot at Tezpur Air Force Station. The team
returned to Mumbai on November 28, 2022, after completing a ten-day schedule in
Assam.
For
the second schedule, the production crew moved to Kashmir on February 6, 2023,
and Akshay Oberoi also joined the shoot. The team returned to Mumbai on
February 12, having filmed in Pahalgam, Kashmir, capturing both a song and a
few action sequences choreographed by Sunil Rodrigues.
The
third schedule took place at the Dundigal Air Force Academy in Hyderabad,
focusing on Roshan's character undergoing Air Force cadet training. It
concluded on March 6.
On March 19, the fourth schedule began in a Chembur bungalow in Mumbai, featuring Talat Aziz and shooting emotional scenes. This month-long schedule was set to conclude on April 24. Kapoor shared a behind-the-scenes video of his workout in -110 degrees Celsius during this schedule. The team also dedicated time to filming a 25-minute long climax scene with action sequences, a process that spanned 120 hours (5 days).
The
next schedule involved the production designer Rajat Poddarr and his team
constructing an expansive set at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, replicating the
interiors of an air force base, classrooms, and offices. On May 14, Padukone,
Roshan, Kapoor, and Grover joined the schedule. Between May 19 and 22,
combination scenes featuring Padukone and Kapoor were shot in Chembur, Mysore
Colony, spanning three days. Subsequently, emotional scenes between Padukone
and Roshan were filmed in Chandivali with only 20–30 extras present to prevent
leaks of the film's footage. The Mumbai schedule was completed in mid-June.
Roshan spent over 12 days filming inside a Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Dramatic scenes
between Roshan and Kapoor were shot in late August in Mumbai. In early
September, a song featuring Roshan and Padukone, along with the entire cast,
was choreographed by Bosco–Caesar and shot at Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai. Later,
in early October, the team wrapped up two songs in Italy. Principal photography
concluded on October 30, 2023, at Yash Raj Studios, after a total of 87 working
days of filming.
Post-production
activities for the upcoming film are set to kick off in early June 2023,
following the completion of the shooting phase. This phase is anticipated to
span six months, primarily due to the extensive incorporation of computer
graphics and visual effects within the film's framework. The VFX wizardry for
the movie is skillfully executed by the talented team at DNEG.
The
captivating melodies that will grace the film's soundtrack are the creative
compositions of the celebrated duo, Vishal–Shekhar. The musical compilation
includes a total of five songs, with one particularly touching and emotional
piece that promises to strike a chord with the audience's hearts. The rights to
the film's music have been acquired by the renowned music label, T-Series.
Mark
your calendars, as the much-anticipated "Fighter" is slated for
release on the 25th of January 2024, coinciding with the grand celebration of
Republic Day.
Interestingly,
there has been a shift in the film's release date over time. Initially, back in
January 2021, the film's release was earmarked for the 30th of September 2022.
However, in October 2022, the release date was officially rescheduled to the
25th of January 2024, aligning it with the Republic Day release.
Looking
to the future, the creators of "Fighter" decided to transform this
compelling story into a franchise. In a noteworthy development, it was reported
in May 2023 that preparations for the production of a sequel, aptly titled
"Fighter 2," would commence following the completion of Anand's work
on the much-anticipated "Tiger vs. Pathaan." This signals the
exciting expansion of the Fighter cinematic universe.
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